Bellingham hopes to hire part-time grant writer

BELLINGHAM — Worried that it may be missing out on grant opportunities, the town will ask residents in May to approve a new part-time position: grant writer.

Town Administrator Denis Fraine said Stacey Wetstein, who already works part-time as the town planner, would fill the position if voters approve the request. A May 28 Town Meeting article asks for $10,000 to supplant her salary in the expanded role.

Fraine said, "It’s a small investment for a potentially large return."

Like clockwork, the need for a grant writer comes up at the multi-board meeting every year, he said. All departments generally spend time looking for grants, though following up with them can prove difficult and time-consuming for those less versed in the art of writing them.

"Many of these grants require a fair amount of legwork," Fraine said, adding that Wetstein would not only help in writing the grants, but also researching them to rule out those that may be superfluous.

The Bellingham Fire Department has been one of the more active departments when it comes to searching out grants. Over the last eight years, the department has won nearly $2 million in federal and state funding.

Hiring a full-time grant writer from outside the town doesn’t make sense, he said. "We can’t justify the need right now, said Fraine. "But with the part-time position, we’ll be able to test the waters."

Wetstein has written many grants in her 11 years with the town. More recently, she has worked to secure money for the continued development of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail.

"Having already established myself in the town government system, I have access to contacts for grants," she said.

If the position is created, she hopes to sit down with some of the larger departments to gauge their interests.

"On a personal level, I have the time for this," she said. "There’s an opportunity for the town to use an existing resource, where going outside might be more expensive. And it’s something I enjoy doing."